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M Ralph Foster

Huwelijken en kinderen

Notities

Aantekeningen

1851 personal census, Mersea Twp, Essex Co., ON, p. 5:
Foster Ralph, M, Married, 57, born England, C of England, Farmer;
Ann, F, Married, 56, born England, C of England;
Ralph, M, 23, born Canada, C of England, Farmer;
Jas W., M, 19, born Canada, C of England, Labourer;
George, M, 16, born Canada, C of England, Labourer.

1861 personal census, Mersea Twp, Essex Co., ON, 1-1:
Foster Ralph Esq., M, Married, married in 1817, 66, born England, C of England, Farmer;
Ann, F, Married, married in 1817, 65, born England, W Methodist;
George, M, 25, born U Canada, W Methodist, Labour;
Jeffery Malinda, F, 14, born U Canada, W Methodist, Servant.

County Marriage Registers of Ontario, Canada 1858-1869 Volume 35 Essex County, Elizabeth Hancocks, 2005, Global Heritage Press, Campbellville, ON:
Foster Ralph, 73, Mersea, England, s/o John & Jane, married 25 Dec 1868 Ann Copeland, 68, Mersea, England, d/o Henry & Ann.

Commemorative Biographical Record of the County of Essex, J. H. Beers & Co., Toronto, 1905, p. 412-415:
Foster. The family of this name in Mersea township is one of the oldest and most influential in that section of the County of Essex, where they have owned land for nearly eighty years.
     The Fosters are of English descent, Ralph Foster, the founder of the family in this country, having been a native of England, born Dec. 27, 1795, in the parish of Wardell, County of Durham, son of John Foster, of the same parish. Ralph Foster was educated in then parish schools of his native town, and as a young man worked in the mines, principally the lead mines. He married in Hexham, County of Northumberland, England, April 25, 1817, Ann Wilthew, who was born May 16, 1796, in the parish of Hexham. Shortly after their marriage they embarked for the New World, coming to Nova Scotia, and first settled on Prince Edward Island. Later they returned to Nova Scotia, where Mr. Foster followed different occupations, and in time removed to New Brunswick, eventually coming to Ontario, and making their way to the County of Essex in about 1826, nearly ten years after they first landed on the Canadian shore. He located in Mersea township, on the farm now owned and operated by his sons, James W. and George, and was one of the first settlers in that region. At that time the farm was a wilderness on the South part of Talbot street, in Lot 239, a part of the Col. Talbot grant. Here he built a small log house and brought his family, settling down to agriculture, and with the help of his sons he cleared up his farm, a tract of 164 acres, on which he made many improvements. As early as 1852 escaping natural gas was found on this farm and Mr. Foster had always a strong conviction that this indicated the presence of an oil field, which conviction proved true, for on the same farm in 1896 the first oil was discovered in what has since developed, in 1904, into the present extensive Leamington oil field. There the remainder of his days was spent, and farming was his life occupation. He attained the ripe old age of eighty-two years, a strong, active man to the last, and died, full of years and honor, Aug. 21, 1877; he is buried in Lake View cemetery, at Leamington.
     Mr. Foster was a member of the Church of England, and in politics was a Conservative. He was interested in public affairs, was justice of the peace for many years, was a member of the township council, and reeve of the township. He was a volunteer in the British service during the Rebellion of 1837-38, and served as an officer. He was a well-read man and a good writer. Mr. Foster led a true pioneer life after coming to Mersea township, for at the time of his settlement there were no roads or bridges, and wild animals, wolves, deer, turkeys, etc., abounded in the forests. Amid such surroundings he reared his large family, all of whom reflected credit upon their training, by their sober and industrious lives. By his first marriage Mr. Foster became the father of eight children: Ann, born June 7, 1818, on Prince Edward Island, married James Robson. John, born in Nova Scotia, Aug. 15, 1821, married April 12, 1842, Mary Richardson. Thomas, born in Nova Scotia July 29, 1823, resides in Mersea township; he married Oct. 21, 1849, Sarah Scott. Matilda, born in Nova Scotia, July 29, 1825, died in August, 1825, when three weeks old. William Henry, born in Mersea township, County of Essex, Oct. 2, 1827, is mentioned below. Ralph, born March 3, 1830, in Mersea township, is mentioned below. James W., born Sept. 23, 1832, is mentioned below. George, born Jan. 21, 1836, is mentioned below. The mother of these children died May 22, 1867, and was buried in Lake View cemetery. She was a true Christian woman, a loving wife and mother, and shared with her husband the trials and hardships of pioneer life, proving a willing helpmate. Mr. Foster married (second) Dec. 27, 1868, Ann Dennis, who after his death moved to Ohio.
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